A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on august 12th, 2022 @ 5:43pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙵𝙸𝙵𝚃𝚈-𝚃𝚆𝙾,
𝓐𝙱𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙱𝙴𝙻𝙾𝚆.

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"SO? ALL WE CAN DO is sit here while it all plays out?" Connie asked.

"Care for tea?" Artur asked, setting the cup down.

"Thanks." Armin thanked him.

"Armin, could you bust out of here as a Titan?" Connie questioned.

Armin took a sip of his tea. "No. I'd just destroy the city. Unlike Eren's Titan, the Colossal Titan can't do something that precise." He replied.

"So? Why did Eren beat you to a pulp? It's about time you tell us." Jean spoke.

"He said hurtful things to Mikasa. I swung at him and he hit back." Armin responded.

"Huh?"

"He hurt Mikasa? How?" Jean asked.

"Well—" Armin began.

"Stop." Mikasa interrupted. "It's fine."

"No, it's not. What exactly did he say?" Jean questioned, not letting the topic go.

"Forget it, Jean. We already know he's a total piece of shit. Now he's lost his mind and hurt the two people he should care about most." Connie told him but stopped when he realized a certain brunette was missing.

"Where's Josiah?"

"Now that Connie mentioned it, he was with you guys." Jean added on.

Armin stays silent for a moment. "He joined up with the Yeagerists." He announced.

Connie narrowed his eyes before scoffing. "Yeah. I'm not surprised he betrayed us the moment he had the chance." He said.

"Josiah wouldn't do that." Armin defended. "He has a plan. I know it."

Footsteps were soon heard, getting their attention. "Long time no see, heroes of Shiganshina. It pains me to reunite in a place like this." Yelena greeted.

"Hey! You're on their side, too?! Let us out!" Connie shouted at Onyankopon.

"That's a lot to ask, considering you guys put me on house arrest. Just sit quiet and behave until Zeke and Eren meet." Onyankopon said.

"You...!"

Jean stepped forward. "Must be nice, Yelena. Everything went exactly how you planned. Through you, Eren moved how Zeke wanted. Raising Marley, getting people's support, using wine to take over the military... Now, Eldia and the Founding Titan are yours. You can crush Marley and avenge your homelands. Isn't that the real reason you came to the island?" He asked.

"This place was primitive. We brought it out of the past." Onyankopon replied.

"Eh?!"

"So you and your pals could enjoy it. Once you ruled, that is." Niccolo accused.

"You were tricked and lost. That's all it is." Griez spoke.

"Griez! Looks like you sold us out to get promoted to Yelena's lackey, you snitch!" Niccolo said.

"Are you dumb? It's you who sided with the devils and betrayed us!" Griez accused.

"What?"

"You had the hots for some devil spawn who reeked of potatoes!" Griez said. Niccolo reached out to attack him as Jean held him back.

"I'm gonna kill you!" Niccolo shouted.

"Chill, Niccolo!" Jean told him.

"You wouldn't shut up about her, day and night. Stupid me thought you'd get a grip when the bitch died." Griez insulted.

"What'd you say?!" Niccolo exclaimed in anger.

"I'll make it easy to understand. That spawn-of-the-devil whore was—"

A gunshot interrupted Griez's sentence as Yelena had shot him, his body collapsing to the ground.

"Yelena?!"

"I apologize for his disrespect." Yelena bowed. "This island has no need for those who would call you devils. Believe me, our true goal is nothing as hollow as getting revenge on Marley. Our goal is to end the cycle of hatred to save Eldia and even Marley. No more secrets. I'll tell you everything— about Zeke's plan to save the world: His 'euthanization' plan."

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Eren entered the cell that Gabi was in. "Hey, brat who killed Sasha." Eren said as Gabi gasped.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"If you wanna save Falco, help me." Eren replied as Gabi's eyes widened.

"Help... you? How?" Gabi questioned.

"Call for help on the radio to flush out intruders in the walls." Eren responded as Pieck and Josiah soon appeared. Josiah stabbed the nearby Yeagerist in the throat while Pieck pointed her gun at Eren.

"Don't move. Keep quiet, Gabi." Pieck ordered.

Gabi teared up. "Pieck!" She exclaimed.

"Quiet." Pieck repeated. "I take it you're Eren Yeager, correct?" She then asked as Josiah closed the door behind them.

"Gabi, aim the rifle at Eren." Pieck ordered as Gabi didn't move. "Gabi!"

Gabi complied as she moved over to the deceased Yeagerist. "Eren, hands out of your pockets." Pieck ordered as Josiah points his gun towards him.

"And what if I refuse?" Eren countered.

"I pull the trigger and your brains hit the floor. Ever seen it? No time to transform." Pieck answered.

"And? Why don't you pull it? If not, why else are you here? What happens if I don't listen?" Eren asked.

"That's something you'll never know. Once your brains hit—" Pieck began.

"I do know. You won't shoot. And neither will Josiah. You aren't allowed to kill the Founding Titan." Eren pressed his head to the barrel of the gun. "Your orders are just to retake it. But for that, you'll have to turn into a Titan and eat me alive, right?"

"Pieck!"

Pieck stayed silent for a moment. "Gabi, take your finger off the trigger." She ordered.

"You're not the only one who would pay for defying the military. Your family in the zone would, too." Eren continued on as Pieck raised her hands in the air in surrender.

"Yeah, I won't shoot. And eating you doesn't seem possible either, so..." Pieck trailed off.

"Pieck?" Gabi commented in disbelief.

"You found my Titan footprints from when I invaded, right? I thought I did well sneaking into your midst without being caught. But I have other reasons for not shooting. If you used the Founding Titan's power, couldn't you defeat Marley?" Pieck asked before she looked down.

"You wouldn't make the world your enemy unless you knew you could win. Do you have something more than the Founding Titan?"

"Pieck, what are you...?" Gabi said.

"Gabi, put down the rifle." Pieck ordered once more, not sparing a glance.

"Supposing I did, what's your goal?" Eren questioned.

"To free all Eldians in Marley and around the world. I want to free my family in the internment zone. I became a Warrior to get my dad, my only family, proper medical care. He survived, but he's incredibly sad knowing my term will soon be over. Before I die and leave him behind, I want to show him Eldia has a bright future. For that, Marley needs to be crushed. I'll help however I can. If we can slaughter Marley, I'll do whatever it takes." Pieck declared.

It went silent as her and Eren stared at one another. "The mastermind of the attack on Marley... was Zeke. Now, you? What have we been fighting for?!" Gabi asked. "Once the world knows we're good Eldians, won't they let us go free?!"

Gabi points her gun at Pieck. "You're the same as Zeke—a traitor!" She accused.

"Gabi. Are we Marleyans or are we Eldians? What do you think?" Pieck questioned.

"We're... Honorary Marleyans." Gabi replied.

"Wrong. We are Subjects of Ymir. That's the one truth we can't escape." Pieck took the gun out of Gabi's hands. "No matter what we're called, we're a race that turns into Titans. But like we saw at Fort Slava, Titan power is on its way out. As soon as Marley can't use us, they'll slaughter us all. Even if we prove we're 'good Eldians,' there's zero chance that we're freed. We have to secure our right to live with our own hands."

"Prove it. If you're going to cooperate with us, show us you mean it." Eren said as blood dripped from his finger.

"I'll show you where my comrades are." Pieck told him.

"Wha—?!"

"How?" Eren questioned.

"If we go to the roof, I can point out where they are." Pieck replied.

"Fine." Eren complied as his small wound healed itself.

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"Stop children from being born?" Armin repeated in disbelief.

"Correct. That's Zeke's euthanization plan. All suffering brought about by Titans will disappear from the world. Gradually. Peacefully." Yelena replied.

"Wait. How is that peaceful? If Subjects of Ymir slowly die out, we'll only have geezers to defend in the end. How do we protect ourselves? You think they'll leave us alone?" Jean questioned.

"The rumbling can serve as a deterrent as long as the Founding Titan and the royal bloodline are preserved. Fortunately, Queen Historia was blessed with an heir. As long as Subjects of Ymir inherit the Founder until her child passes away..." Yelena trailed off.

"You talk like this is a sure thing." Jean interrupted.

"Sure things... Certainties... No nation can claim to have them. Each one has its own share of problems. But there is one certainty, and that's the threat of Titans. Their history of tears and bloodshed will be put to an end... by Zeke and Eren. I don't know how long humanity will last, but it's hard to think that a greater feat will ever come to pass. People will speak of the brothers as legends for millennia to come. Like the gods of the past. Even after their deaths, they'll be seen as saviors who shone over humanity." Yelena ranted.

Armin then covered his face as he sounded like he was crying. "Something wrong?" Yelena asked.

"No... But to think your cause is so noble..." Armin looked up, tears coming out. "It touched my heart!"

"That's wonderful." Yelena said as Armin continued sobbing. "I'm glad to know you understand."

"Yelena! Come quick! Invaders!"

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"The enemy's here!"

"Someone was killed!"

"It's the Cart Titan!"

"What?!"

"Did she betray Marley?"

"That's what Yeager said."

"Hmm? What's all the ruckus about?" Nile questioned.

Josiah was currently following Eren, along with Pieck and Gabi, who were chained together.

"Is it safe to say you and I are allies now?" Pieck asked.

"If you can point out the other invaders. Until then, you'll be cuffed to the Marley kid. If you try to transform, she'll bite the dust." Eren responded.

Pieck places her hands on Gabi's shoulders. "Don't worry. This kid will come around soon enough." She said.

They began ascending up the steps as Josiah heard the Yeagerists below talking.

"That bitty thing is a Marley soldier?"

"She's an ally?"

Pieck raised her hands up. "Hi there!" She greeted as Josiah spotted Porco in the crowd.

"Hey... Where is Falco?" Gabi finally gained the courage to ask about him.

"Falco's here, too. But it seems he drank some of Zeke's spinal fluid." Eren replied, causing Pieck and Gabi's eyes to widen.

"How?" Pieck questioned.

"Who knows? They're saying the wine with spinal fluid got in his mouth." Eren answered as Gabi gasped in realization.

"Is that when...?" She wondered.

"Gabi?"

"It's my fault... again." Gabi said.

"I see. You took over the military with Zeke's spinal fluid. Do you know why Zeke even has an ability like that?" Pieck asked.

"Beats me. Do you know?" Eren questioned.

"No. Other than Zeke himself, nobody does." Pieck answered as they stopped walking. "Since I met him, I felt like Zeke was telling lie after lie. Four years ago, I confirmed that hunch. Only with you did his words seem true. 'Believe me, I know what you're going through, Eren. Someday, I'm coming back to rescue you.' If anyone, I thought he'd tell you about his secret power. For example, like it can draw out the Founding Titan's power or something."

Light shined onto Eren's face as the door opened. "Oh? You shaved your beard? I thought it suited you." Pieck commented, noticing Yelena.

Pieck, Gabi, and Josiah walked forward. "Eren, it's not safe to trust that woman." Yelena informed.

"Yeah. I don't trust her, either, but it's mutual." Eren agreed as he walked forward.

"By the way, aren't you using the Founding Titan's power? Where's Zeke?" Pieck asked.

"You'll find out soon enough." Eren replied. "Show me. Where is the enemy?"

Gabi flinched as Pieck clenched her hand in reassurance, smiling at her. She then turned around. "There." She replied, pointing where Eren was.

Pieck moved Gabi out of the way as Josiah shot at the ground, giving Porco the signal. The Jaw Titan erupted from below Eren, biting off his leg. Eren clenched his teeth as lightning surrounded him. He transformed as he roared, the sudden rumble catching the other Scouts.

"What the—?!" Connie exclaimed.

"It's begun. The Titans... have started to move." Armin spoke.

Porco was standing above Pieck, Gabi, and Josiah, guarding them. "Galliard!" Gabi exclaimed.

"I knew it wouldn't be easy." Pieck commented.

"I'm surprised we got this far." Josiah agreed.

"Pieck! You're not a traitor?!" Gabi exclaimed.

"Gabi! You thought I'd sell out my comrades?" Pieck asked.

"But you said we have no future fighting for Marley!" Gabi argued.

"Look."

Gabi almost teared up at the sight of the airships above. "I don't trust Marley. But I do trust the comrades I've fought alongside." Pieck said.

"Bring it on... Reiner!"

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A/N: And that's the end of part one! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 2250 words.